The University Police Department has increased security precautions following an assault that occurred on Sept. 9.

According to a press release, four or five men confronted a Desmond Hall resident at the hall’s south entrance and pointed a silver handgun at him just before 3 a.m. on Sept. 9.

The resident was then punched and struck in his face and at the back of his head, according to campus police’s Alert Bulletin.

The suspects reportedly fled in what was described as an older Mustang, and the victim was taken to a local hospital where his injuries were treated.

Campus police want the entire campus community to be aware of increased security and the availability of its services.

“We have officers on 24/7. We’re a state police agency. We’re always open. We always have cops on, and we always have a dispatcher on duty,” Sgt. Kelly Clark said. “When something like this happens, it’s our highest priority to protect our residents.”

A town hall meeting with Clark and another officer took place on Thursday and about 30 students showed up.

“We told them that we’re increasing staffing and that they should call us if they see something,” Clark said.

Two detectives have been assigned to cover this matter full time.

“They’re re-interviewing witnesses, following up on leads. They’re working on this,” Clark said. “We’ve assigned this as a priority to our investigators.”

Reactions from the dorm community have been mixed.

“It was scary. It makes me not want to go outside by myself at night,” said freshman Campbell Ellis, a Desmond Hall resident and speech pathology major. “You just don’t really think something like this could happen, but then it does. -It’s just unnerving.”

“When something like this happens, you realize that you’re not immune,” said Cynthia Cockrill, director of Residential Life, adding, “I have a lot of faith in campus police.”

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to call campus police at 278-6851.

Tom Roberts can be reached at [email protected]